Hundreds attended a public memorial service for inspirational college basketball player Lauren Hill Monday night. Hill died Friday after battling a rare, inoperable form of brain cancer.
The service began with Hill’s college and high school teammates laying jerseys across her coffin.
The theme: Never Give Up.
Speaker after speaker repeated that phrase saying it exemplified Hill's character throughout her illness.
Trinity Christian Center Pastor Corey Potts said, "Lauren has taught every single one of us here, that when we are faced with trials and adversity, we must say to ourselves, 'never give up.'"
Hill won hearts across the nation with her big smile and determination to do as much good as she could with the time she had. She focused on raising money for The Cure Starts Now and childhood cancer research.
Her grandmother, Carol Katenkamp, says she's trying to follow her granddaughter's motto of keeping her game-face on. "My hope is that her dream will continue forever and people keep donating to help these other little children."
Her fundraising efforts raised more than a million dollars. When she presented the check, she told doctors “Just keep working hard and never give up. I don't expect any of you guys to give up."
